We go through at least four 55 gallon drums of soapmaking oils every month and those empty barrels can really stack up around here. A quick post on Craig's list usually takes care of most of them though. Some people want these for trash barrels or burn barrels. Some people turn them into storage containers (they have airtight lids). Other folks fashion them into a homemade deer feeder. But this guy got 13 of them the other day to make... a kiddie train!
Out of all the uses I've heard about over the years, that one is definitely my favorite! I have fond memories of riding them with our own kids when they were small.
You can get more ideas for reusing 55 gallon drums here. It's called upcycling: reusing discarded objects or materials in such a way as to create a product of a higher quality or value than the original. I'm just happy to see them leave our property and be put to all these good uses. One woman's trash is another woman's treasure.